Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to … Read Full Bio ↴Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different. Instead, Seven Mary Three offer songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia (where the bandmates attended the College of William and Mary), Seven Mary Three signed to the Mammoth label after releasing a self-produced album, Churn, in 1994. The album -- particularly its gritty lead single, "Cumbersome" -- generated a healthy buzz in Florida, and radio stations in Orlando began devoting significant airtime to the band. Seven Mary Three relocated to the Orlando area and re-recorded their old songs, which were packaged alongside two new cuts to round out the band's proper debut, 1995's American Standard. With "Cumbersome" enjoying national success, the album went platinum and won the group a contract with Atlantic Records. Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. Neither record enjoyed as much recognition as American Standard, but the band continued to release albums into the following decade, issuing The Economy of Sound in 2001 and Dis/Location three years later. Seven Mary Three signed with New York's Icon Records in late 2007, and the following year saw the release of their sixth effort, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Devil's Holy Joke
Seven Mary Three Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It will take a fancy store
For mom and dad
To forget what they never had

It will only take one moment
To make her believe
She's something worth trying on

A little motivation goes a long way down
Down
Down

I think a cigarette should smoke
Like the Devil's Holy joke
Because he's laid one out on me

I think if everybody streamed
From their TV's to your scene
It would be okay with me

You can't keep a good thing on a string
You've got to give it room to breath
It may leave an empty space

A little motivation goes a long way down
Down
Down

In every situation,

Heavy traffic
Jams his sound.

Overall Meaning

The first two lines in the verses describe a certain level of materialistic lifestyle: a fancy store that the parents might frequent. The song then talks about how it only takes one moment for a girl to believe that she is worth something, worth trying on even, and that the feeling can be so powerful that it can spiral downwards beyond control. The phrase "a little motivation goes a long way down" is repeated a few times throughout the song, emphasizing how easily things can slip out of hand.

The chorus talks about the Devil's Holy joke, and how the cigarette that the singer is smoking feels like something that the devil himself would laugh about. The phrase "He's laid one out on me" suggests that the devil has played some sort of trick on the singer which makes it feel like he's smoking something sinister. Then the song moves onto what feels like a critique of society's reliance on television, with the singer saying that it would be okay for everyone to be streaming something more worthwhile. The song ends on a note about not holding onto something too tightly and letting it breathe.

Line by Line Meaning

It will take a fancy store For mom and dad To forget what they never had
Material things can make people forget what they never had, but true happiness comes from appreciating what they do have.

It will only take one moment To make her believe She's something worth trying on
A single moment of validation can make someone feel seen and valued.

A little motivation goes a long way down Down Down
Even a small amount of encouragement can inspire someone to great success.

I think a cigarette should smoke Like the Devil's Holy joke Because he's laid one out on me
Life can feel unfair and like a cruel joke, but it's important to keep a sense of humor about it.

I think if everybody streamed From their TV's to your scene It would be okay with me
If others recognized and appreciated what you had to offer, it would bring joy and fulfillment.

You can't keep a good thing on a string You've got to give it room to breath It may leave an empty space
Trying to control or limit something good may lead to its loss, and that's okay.

In every situation, Heavy traffic Jams his sound.
Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, this person's music can provide comfort and solace.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON ROSS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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